Biomedical subjects

B St Marie

Publications and source records attributed to B St Marie.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Models of healthcare delivery in cancer pain management.

The delivery of pain management services to patients with cancer varies across healthcare settings. Identification of areas common to successful programs would be helpful to healthcare professionals developing or restructuring their own programs. The delivery of pain management services in six different systems is described with respect to organizational structure, service process, and essential components. Three elements common to successful programs are identified: (1) team effort and coordination, (2) provision of education, and (3) accountability and administrative support. The authors conclude that these three elements are critical to the delivery of pain management services across healthcare settings.

Health Personnel↗

PubMed1991

Initial clinical experience with the SKY epidural catheter.

The new SKY epidural catheter was evaluated, based upon information collected about implant and use of 53 catheters by 51 patients. Catheters were used to treat chronic pain of a malignant (n = 25) and nonmalignant (n = 28) origin. Of 3450 treatment days, 89% occurred at home. Mean catheter use for malignant and nonmalignant conditions were 58.6 and 76.3 days/patient, respectively. Visual analogue pain scores in the first wk after implant indicated 79% of patients achieved good to excellent pain relief. Clinical impressions indicated this group achieved substantial long-term pain relief. No serious complications were observed. Two types of leakage required removing 5 catheters, prompting changes that eliminated subsequent leakages of both types. Accidental patient retraction and subcutaneous infection each required a catheter removal. No subarachnoid or epidural infections occurred. The SKY catheter proved to be safe and reliable. Therapy was cost-effective, since patients achieved substantial pain relief while treated at home.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Narcotic infusions--a changing scene.

Controlling patients' pain is no longer a luxury in health care. Studies have shown that pain can cause physical harm. A better understanding of the pain pathway has enabled health care professionals to control pain more effectively. Development of pain control techniques that include patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and intraspinal infusions of narcotics and local anesthetic agents has enhanced the level of pain control. Fewer side effects and decreased narcotic use are among the advantages demonstrated with PCA and intraspinal infusions. Side effects can be minimized and complications reduced when nursing can intervene during narcotic infusions. The role of the intravenous nurse is expanding into the area of pain management as educator and clinical practitioner.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Administration of intraspinal analgesia in the home care setting.

Intraspinal analgesia can provide relief to patients suffering from intractable pain. Nurses following patients receiving intraspinal analgesia need to be familiar with care of the long-term intraspinal catheter, side effects that occur with spinal analgesia, interventions with acute tolerance, and use of drug combinations in the intraspinal infusion. Eighteen patients were observed for 1 year, using the epidural portal system. This method of intraspinal delivery permitted long-term epidural access without complications of system breakdown or catheter migration. With intraspinal infusions, the patient remained alert and could die at home with dignity, free from pain.

Analgesia, Epidural↗